EPA extends temporary fuel waiver to more states

Sept. 7, 2012
The US Environmental Protection Agency cited disruptions to Gulf Coast refineries from Hurricane Isaac as it extended a temporary fuel waiver it previously granted to parts of Louisiana to seven other states.

The US Environmental Protection Agency cited disruptions to Gulf Coast refineries from Hurricane Isaac as it extended a temporary fuel waiver it previously granted to parts of Louisiana to seven other states.

EPA extended the temporary waiver on Sept. 5 to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina after Administrator Lisa P. Jackson determined that extreme and unusual circumstances could result in temporary shortages of gasoline, which complies with federal regulations.

The move, coordinated with the US Department of Energy, also was a response to governors’ requests, it added.

It said the waiver applies to so-called “summertime” gasoline with a low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) for the rest of a seasonal high-ozone period that ends Sept. 15. Supplies of higher RVP “wintertime” gasoline now may be used in those states until that time to prevent shortages, EPA said.

Bordering states are projected to have enough summertime gasoline for the next 2 weeks and no shortages are expected, it indicated. EPA said it would monitor fuel supplies in those areas and act expeditiously if necessary.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].